Towns throughout North Jersey will
commemorate the fourth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Sunday
in many ways, from groundbreakings and dedications of memorials to somber
candlelight vigils and stirring patriotic concerts.

Just as there are a variety of
remembrances scheduled, there are also many views on how to observe that
day in 2001 when nearly 3,000 people were killed by terrorists at the
World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania.

Some feel that services should
reflect solely on 9/11 and those lost that day, while others believe that
remembrances also should address how the world has changed as a result
of the worst terrorist attack on American soil.

The Rev. Randall Day of St. Mark's
Episcopal Church in Teaneck said that Sunday should be a time to reflect
on Sept. 11, 2001, and the current events that stemmed from the terrorist
attacks, such as the war in Iraq.

"The observances, to have impact,
need to take account of everything that's happened since," Day said. "That's
how the remembrances have power and meaning."

Day and other Teaneck clergy
will dedicate a peace pole on the Municipal Green at 3 p.m. The message,
"May Peace Prevail," is inscribed on the 8-foot, metal pole in eight languages
representative of the township's past and current residents: Leni-Lenape,
Dutch, English, Hebrew, Swahili, Arabic, Spanish and Korean.

"It's an absolutely critical
prayer, as the world has become more stressed with violence and war,''
Day said.

In Englewood, Mayor Michael
Wildes plans to mention Hurricane Katrina during his city's service, which
will include a processional, readings and bagpipes. The ceremonies begin
at 8:30 a.m. on the lawn of the library.

The memorial also is
honoring the city's emergency service members, Wildes said. Six Englewood
firefighters are in Louisiana helping with Katrina recovery efforts. City
firefighters also helped at Ground Zero after 9/11.

"It ties in," Wildes
said of the hurricane. "These are two of the greatest tragedies in the
history of our nation. It bodes well to remind us of the solidarity of
all Americans."

Others plan to keep the
focus on the events of Sept. 11.

"We've all been working here
in Allendale [to aid the hurricane victims], but to me Sept. 11 is unique
and different," said borough resident Vince Barra, who lost his brother-in-law
in the attacks. Barra chaired the borough's 9/11 memorial committee.

Allendale will hold a candlelight
vigil and flagpole dedication at 6 p.m. at the Sept. 11 Memorial at Crestwood
Lake.

"Sept. 11 to me was an act of
man's inhumanity to man, and that's what has always stuck with me," Barra
said. "I would hope that every year our ceremony is going to be very simple,
just to reflect."

Jill McGovern of Wyckoff, who
lost her husband, Scott, in the attacks, will attend a local memorial
ceremony and then participate in a Katrina fund-raising drive she started
with her sister and brother-in-law. She said it's a perfect way to honor
her husband's memory.

Loretta Viglione of Morris Plains,
however, will steer clear of relief efforts Sunday.

"I am in favor of helping the
Katrina victims, but please, let's keep the events separate," said Viglione,
who lost her firefighter brother, Thomas Sabella, on 9/11.

Several towns, including Paramus
and Wayne, are not holding official memorials this year. Paramus Mayor
James Tedesco said it was better now for residents to decide for themselves
how to reflect on the anniversary.

Wayne resident Judy Glick, who
lost her husband, Barry, said she feels insulted and frustrated that her
town is not holding a remembrance and has yet to construct a Sept. 11
memorial.

"To me, a huge measure of disrespect
has been demonstrated to those that have lost family members, as well
as the community of Wayne," Glick said

Wayne Mayor Scott Rumana said
that with many events already scheduled in the area, including an interfaith
service at William Paterson University, he did not want to schedule another.
He said plans are in the works for a memorial.

Fair Lawn and Harrington Park,
meanwhile, will be breaking ground on memorials Sunday. Fair Lawn's ceremony
is at 1 p.m. at Borough Hall, Harrington Park's is at 5 p.m. at Highland
Field.

Fair Lawn's memorial will consist
of a free-standing red brick wall with plaques that memorialize the three
borough residents who died on 9/11, and the first responders who sacrificed
their lives to save others.

The Harrington Park monument
will be 20 feet in circumference and centered around a flagpole. A plaque
honoring the three borough residents who died will be placed on the monument.

River Edge is dedicating a memorial
garden at 1 p.m. on the south lawn of its library. The garden has five
individual areas and stones, one for each resident who died.

Passaic County is holding its
traditional reading of the names of all 3,000 who perished in the terrorist
attacks. The ceremony will be at Lambert Castle in Paterson at 3:30 p.m.
An interfaith service will follow. Thirty county residents died on 9/11,
county officials said.

Bergen County held its observance
on Friday so that friends and family of the 147 county victims would not
have to choose between local and county services Sunday.

Leila Negron of Bergenfield,
who lost her husband, Peter, said that no matter how towns choose to commemorate
the fourth anniversary of 9/11, the important thing is that people stop
what they're doing, wherever they are, to remember those lost and the
families and loved ones who remain.

"The fact that something so tragic
happened, and so many people gave up their lives to help people, I think
public remembrances are important," Negron said. "I think it's an honor
also for the children left behind."